Team USA's Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, S.C., maintained his lead at the 2011 QubicaAMF World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa, while Chicago's Diandra Asbaty, who won the event in 2006, held steady in second place on the women's side Monday.

Jones, a 13-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion, entered the day's Round of 24 with a 71-pin lead over Australian two-hander Jason Belmonte and posted a 1,836 total for eight games at Northcliff Bowling Centre to remain in the top spot with a 6,739 pinfall after 28 games, a 240.68 average. 

Belmonte rolled his second 300 of the event on the way to a 1,870 block and closed the gap, finishing the day at 6,702. Mykhaylo Kalika of the Ukraine is third with 6,681, while Argentina's Lucas Legnani and Kimmo Lehtonen of Finland are tied for fourth with 6,534. 

"The lanes today were very, very tricky, with a lot of transition and lots of rev rate bowling today," Jones said. "As a whole, the day went OK, and I was able to stay in first place. Now, we're looking forward to the Round of 8 tomorrow for eight games of match play."

On the women's side, defending champion Aumi Guerra of the Dominican Republic continued her torrid pace to finish the day with a 1,885 block and 6,748 total for 28 games, an average of 241. Asbaty was close behind with 1,880 on Monday and sits in second place with 6,408 (228.86). 

Cherie Tan of Singapore is third with 6,242, Sandra Andersson of Sweden is fourth with 6,199 and Finland's Krista Pollanen rounds out the top five with 6,158.

"Things went really well today, and I did my best to try and cut the margin down between first and second," Asbaty said. "Tomorrow is another day, with eight more games with bonus pins, so I know anything is possible. But whether I do or do not get to the No. 1 position, all I have to do is make the top three to have a chance to win the tournament, so I'm looking forward to bowling some really good games tomorrow."

The week started with players from more than 80 countries, who all bowled 20 qualifying games before the field was cut to the top 24 men and top 24 women for Monday's eight-game block. 

Now, the top eight men and top eight women after 28 games advance to Tuesday's Round of 8 to determine the top three men and top three women for Wednesday's stepladder finals. It took an average of 231.07 to qualify for the top eight on the men's side and 213.57 to make the cut in the women's division.

2011 QubicaAMF World Cup
At Northcliff Bowling Centre
Johannesburg, South Africa

STANDINGS

MEN
1, Tommy Jones, United States, 6,739
2, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 6,702
3, Mykhaylo Kalika, Ukraine, 6,681
T4, Lucas Legnani, Argentina, 6,534
T4, Kimmo Lehtonen, Finland, 6534
6, Mats Maggi, Belgium, 6,520
7, Biboy Rivera, Philippines, 6,500
8, Francois Louw, South Africa, 6,470

WOMEN
1, Aumi Guerra, Dominican Republic, 6,748
2, Diandra Asbaty, United States, 6,408
3, Cherie Tan, Singapore, 6,242
4, Sandra Andersson, Sweden, 6,199
5, Krista Pollanen, Finland, 6,158
6, Liza Clutario, Philippines, 6,094
7, Wendy Kok, Netherlands, 6,072
8, Lisa John, England, 5,984

For more information and scores from the event, visit QubicaAMF.com or click here.

Want to compete in the QubicaAMF World Cup next year? The winners of the 2012 USBC Team USA Trials this January will automatically earn spots to compete in the 2012 event! For entry information, click here.